Israeli assault sparks fears of third 'Intifada'

West Bank military op is its biggest since 2005 | Multiple communities hit in hunt for terrorists

- CHRIS HUGHES

ISRAEL has launched its biggest military operation in the West Bank in 20 years.

Troops killed at least 10 Palestinians, sparking fears of a bloody "third Intifada" uprising.

They struck in multiple communities in the biggest surge in Palestine since the Second Intifada, which ended in 2005.

Flashpoint city Jenin was besieged, with entrances blocked using bulldozers and checkpoints set up to hunt terrorists.

Locals reported explosions within the city and the sound of Israeli drones buzzing the skies as the operation got under way.

It happened amid escalating regional tension and the possibility of war with Iran, sparked by war in Gaza which has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians so far.